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Welcome to the Counseling & Testing Center
The Counseling & Testing Center’s (CTC) staff of full-time psychologists and supervised graduate intern and practicum students offers students access to a wide range of counseling services, resources, and referrals. Many students experience a variety of difficulties including stress, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems during their college years, and find that it is helpful to discuss their personal, educational, or career concerns with a professional. The CTC provides a supportive and confidential environment for students to explore their concerns and learn new skills to deal more effectively with problems that may be interfering with their personal well-being and academic goals.
Confidentiality
Counseling sessions are confidential. Information cannot be released to anyone outside the CTC unless authorized by the student or required by law. Idaho State Law requires that psychologists (and graduate intern and practicum students) must report limited information if there is a reasonable suspicion that a minor, handicapped or elderly person is being abused, or if a person presents a serious danger of harming themselves or others.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students enrolled for eight or more credits and graduate student enrolled for six or more credits are eligible for counseling services. Students who do not meet the credit hour requirements and prospective students are eligible for limited services. All students are eligible for crisis counseling services, referral, and testing services. Part-time graduate students completing their research are eligible for services on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, students may be referred to other campus and community resources that will best meet their needs.
Counseling services are free. A fee is charged to cover the cost of some assessment services.
The CTC is not able to provide long-term counseling for students with needs that exceed the resources of the CTC. In some cases, students may be referred to other campus and community resources that will best meet their needs.
Scheduling Appointments
Students may call or stop by the CTC to schedule an appointment. Individual appointments are approximately 50 minutes in length. Information about the CTC is available at the CTC or at the Center’s web site: http://www.ctc.uidaho.edu/. The CTC makes every effort to schedule students as soon as possible.
After your first appointment, your counselor will assist you in scheduling additional appointments. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please contact the CTC at 885-6716 at least 24 hours in advance.
How To Make The Most Of Your Counseling Experience
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Be an active participant. Take an active part in deciding how you want to use your time. Give feedback to your counselor and be honest with yourself and your counselor. If you do not feel a connection with the counselor you’re assigned to, you may request a different counselor.
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Keep appointments. If you find you are unable to keep an appointment, please call to cancel at least 24 hours in advance.
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Be prompt. If you are going to be late, please let the CTC know so that your counselor can wait for you or reschedule, if appropriate.
Counseling & Testing Center Services
- Crisis Intervention
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Biofeedback, Stress/Anxiety Management
- Couples Counseling
- Career Guidance & Counseling
- Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling
- Consultation & Outreach
- Self-Help Resource Room
- Learning Disabilities/ADHD Assessment
- Testing & Assessment
- Computer-Based Testing Center
Crisis Intervention
Crisis appointments are available during normal operating hours to students who may be experiencing a crisis situation. The student, or anyone referring the student, may request crisis scheduling. This service is not to replace ongoing counseling, but is there for crises. For after-hours crisis intervention, call the CTC at 885-6716 and one of the options will be to speak with a crisis counselor, call 911, or call the nearest hospital emergency room.
Individual Counseling
The CTC offers individual counseling for students who wish to discuss personal concerns that may be interfering with their emotional well-being and their ability to achieve their educational and personal goals. Some of the concerns which might lead a student to seek counseling are: anxiety, stress, depression, personal relationship problems, eating disorders, sexual abuse, anger, or general difficulties adjusting to college life.
Group Counseling
Each semester, the CTC offers a variety of educational workshops and groups for students who wish to work on personal problems and coping skills within a supportive group setting. A complete list of current group offerings is available from the CTC each semester.
Couples Counseling
The demands of college can place additional strain on relationships. Counseling is available for couples that are experiencing difficulties and wish to improve the quality of their relationship.
Career Counseling
Students who are undecided about which major or career to choose can benefit from career counseling. The Counseling & Testing Center offers the following services:
- Individual career counseling
- DISCOVER©, a computerized career guidance program that assists students with career decision-making, and contains up-to-date information on over 500 careers
- Written interest inventories and other self-evaluation instruments
- Books and other reference materials about careers
Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling
The CTC offers assessment, short-term counseling, groups, educational programs, and referrals for students experiencing substance use and abuse issues. Counselors work with students to explore how their use of alcohol or drugs may be a problem or could interfere with their academic success. A non-confrontational approach is used to help students develop strategies to reduce their consumption and the negative consequences of their alcohol and drug use. Online screening for alcohol problems is available on the CTC web site. Students who require intensive outpatient counseling or inpatient treatment are referred to an appropriate off-campus facility.
Stress/AnxietyManagement and Biofeedback
Students frequently experience stress and anxiety related to academic pressures such as tests and deadlines as well as stress related to personal and relationship issues. The CTC offers training in a variety of stress management techniques including biofeedback. Biofeedback is a technique designed to help reduce tension, anxiety, and stress-related physical symptoms such as headaches and poor sleep.
Consultation & Outreach
Staff psychologists are available to provide consultation services and educational programs to faculty, staff, living groups, and parents on a variety of topics such as career decision-making, stress management, anxiety, relationships, managing depression, parenting skills, assertive communication, and self-esteem. Requests for programs should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Self-Help Resource Room
The Self-Help Resource Room provides free information about a variety of mental health and wellness topics of special interest to students such as Stress Management, Communication Skills, Relationships, and Career Exploration. A list of the books and handouts in the Self-Help Resource Room is available at the CTC or the CTC website, www.ctc.uidaho.edu. The CTC also provides free access to special lights that have been found to be effective in the treatment of seasonal winter depression (SAD). Students may use the lights on a drop-in basis or call to reserve a time for light therapy.
Testing & Assessment
The CTC offers a variety of testing services. These include placement tests such as COMPASS which is used to determine initial placement in math and English courses, and advanced placement exams such as CLEP which allow students to earn college credit by passing exams in a variety of subject areas. The CTC also administers many of the national testing programs such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, and PRAXIS and provides a secure testing environment for students who need exams proctored. Assessment services include evaluations for learning disabilities and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In addition, psychological, diagnostic and career assessments are often used in the context of counseling and are available at the CTC. A fee is charged for most assessment and testing services. For more detailed information go to www.ctc.uidaho.edu/testing.
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CTC Faculty & Staff
Director
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Joan Pulakos, Ph.D.
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Licensed Psychologists
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Sharon Fritz, Ph.D.
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Chuck Morrison, Ph.D.
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Brian Hopper, Psy.D.
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Steve Saladin, Ph.D.
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Martha Kitzrow, Ph.D.
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Psychologist
Radhika Sehgal, Ph.D.
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Predoctoral Psychology Interns
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Ann Batcheler, M.A., Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, Oklahoma
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Matthew Genuchi, M.A., University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
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Cynthia Prater, M.S., Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon
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Aaron Russell, M.A., George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon
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Practicum Students - Clinical
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Victoria Howells, B.S.
Washington State University
Casey Jobin, B.A.
Washington State University
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Harminder Pooni, B.S.
Washington State University
Christina Wellman, B.S.
Washington State University
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Practicum Students - Assessment
Melanie Burt, M.Ed.
Washington State University
Samantha Oscar, B.A.
Washington State University
Kristin Sergeant, B.S.
Washington State University
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Administrative Staff
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Norma Jo Johnson, B.A., Washington State University
Administrative Assistant II
Donna Kay Fladager, M.S. University of Idaho
Administrative Assistant I
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